After the release of (or just prior to) the highly orchestrated Dark Moor EP "Between Light and Darkness", female vocalist Elisa C. Martin, (who also lent some vocals to the French band Fairyland in 2003) Albert Maroto (guitar) and Jorge Sáez (drums) split off from the other members to start a new band where "they could represent all their own ideas". That band is Dreamaker on Arise Records.

It's fairly evident to me from hearing the new 2004 CDs from Dreamaker and Dark Moor that the new group was more interested in moving forward by returning to the prior bands' old ways. "Human Device" is less symphonic power metal and more straight forward power metal along the lines of the early Dark Moor releases "The Fall Of Melnibone" (2001) and "The Gates Of Oblivion" (2002). They didn't change the formula and given the great sound of those CDs, I couldn't have been more pleased.

Unlike some other Euro-power metal bands who sound like the equivalent of a passionless Paint-By-Numbers set with every note in perfect place, Dreamaker does the style right by tearing through the majority of the songs with a speed that's always a notch below reckless abandon. They're not as precise as Hammerfall and not as uncontrolled as Lost Horizon (another great band), so it's a nice pace on the songs.

Elisa is a fantastic female lead, singing in a fashion similar to the Helloween-inspired vocalists that just wail out highly melodic vocal lines with full emotion. It is a little difficult to notice differences in the music from song to song at times, so I tend to focus on Elisa's vocal melodies which are slightly detached from the backing rhythms. It gives the overall sound a more natural feel. She is also credited with writing everything and the lyrics tend to be either love songs or about emptyness and isolation instead of dragons and wizards.

"Enemy" and "Without Angels" didn't do much for me, but most of the songs are pretty appealing all the way through. "Nightmares Factory", "Killing" and "Crystaline Eyes" are very well done. "Welcome To My Hell" shines with extra death vocals added by Ark 666 of Impaled Nazarene.

"Forever In Your Arms" is the true gem of the CD and maybe my favorite power metal song so far this year. It's a wonderful song that shows Elisa's stongest skill--writing and singing straightforward love songs from the heart. After a quiet intro it gallops full speed with the the kind of beautiful chorus lines I expected to hear:

Time...time to set out on your flightTo feel myself aliveTo live forever in your armsTime to make you understandThat I only wantTo live forever in your arms

Bottom Line: A great power metal debut. Fans of their prior work in Dark Moor should have no trouble enjoying this CD and anybody who enjoys emotive female vocals should check it out.

--Nailer 03.29.04

About this Writer:Frank Hill // Frank Hill has been at this site since its slimy, crying birth in '03. He was born on National Metal Day--11/11 and will turn his hearing aids up to 11 when he's 111. He secretly listens to a lot of old Country and Doo-Wop tunes and wants to start a cyberband with lead vocals by Robot Plant. He is still trying to figure out what Judas Priest meant by "paratamize you". If you read this, then he salutes you.

Maximum Metal Rating Legend - Click for Full Details

5

Excellent - Buy it and say a prayer to the metal gods
that you were tuned on to this masterpiece. A classic.

4-4.5

Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a
clunker or a lacking somewhere to keep it from perfection. You won't feel bad about
dropping some bones on these.

3.5

Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some
filler. This is the OK range where you'd search for the record on sale or used.

3

Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a
half/half ratio. Could show skills but be dull overall. Redeeming qualities for indy bands
are effort and passion. Majors that don't try or suck outright end up here.

2-2.5

Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
There is much better metal out there.

1-1.5

Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.

0

Terrible or an otherwise waste of your life and time.

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